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The Samarkand-Class Block II is a second-generation Draconis Combine Warship sized aerospace fighter carrier. They were considered good escort vessels, but they are noted for not being able to handle vessels larger than itself due to its light compliment of capital weaponry in addition to its thin rear facing armor and weapons. In desperate situations, when fighter availability was low, the Samarkand was utilized as a last-ditch decoy to buy time for embattled ground forces.

The Class was originally introduced in 2579 and served in the Reunification War. In 2668, 89 years later, CoordinatorUrizen Kurita authorized the construction of a new improved version of the venerable class. The Block II was infused with new technologies that improved the ship's weaponry and armor over the original design. A large quantity of the class was produced which was utilized by the Star League Defense Force as escorts.

The principle capital weaponry includes; Its front arc has pair of Medium Naval PPC & pair of Class 35 Naval Lasers. On it front sides it has single Class 20 Naval Autocannon compliment per front-side arcs. Its capital broadsides only a single Heavy Naval PPC per arc, while its aft sides pair of Class 35 Naval Lasers. Protecting its after is pair of Class 45 Naval Laser.

Its conventional weaponry includes; In the nose is mounts five LRM-20 Launchers, backed up four medium lasers. On the ship's front sides, it four LRM-10 launchers and three SRM 4 launchers providing close up protection. On its broadsides, it has ten Machine Guns per boardside, providing last ditch defense with 100 rounds per side.

In each of its aft sides it mounts; A pair of Large Lasers and pair of Medium lasers together in a weapons, Five LRM-20 launchers, and six Machine guns per side with 100 rounds of ammo.

In the aft, has single Large Lasers with pair of Medium Lasers and six Machine Guns providing protection against conventional threats.[4]

The Samarkand has 511 tons of Ferro-Carbide Armor protecting its side and aft nearly evenly with 21 more tons mounted in the bow. Its structural integrity is 74, 3 points more than the Block I ships.[5]